Tourism Minister Shri Kandula Durgesh calls upon IATO members to partner with Andhra Pradesh and take its diverse tourism offerings to the world.
Andhra Pradesh has invited the Indian travel trade to partner with the State in unlocking its enormous tourism potential and positioning it as one of India’s next major tourism growth destinations.
Shri Kandula Durgesh, Hon’ble Minister for Tourism, Culture & Cinematography, Government of Andhra Pradesh, extended the invitation while addressing IATO members and the media in New Delhi in connection with the 41st IATO Annual Convention, to be held at Novotel Visakhapatnam Varun Beach from 10th to 12th September 2026.
“I have not come merely to invite you to the convention. I have come to invite you to partner with Andhra Pradesh in building India’s next major tourism success story,” Shri Durgesh said.
Describing Andhra Pradesh as “a destination waiting to be discovered,” the Minister highlighted the State’s unique combination of spiritual, heritage, coastal, nature, adventure, tribal, culinary and cultural tourism. From Tirumala-Tirupati, Srisailam and Lepakshi to Gandikota, Araku, Rajahmundry and the Godavari, he said Andhra Pradesh offers experiences that can significantly enrich international tourism itineraries.
He called upon IATO members to develop and promote new tourism circuits and products covering pilgrimage, Buddhist tourism, coastal tourism, heritage, rural and tribal tourism, adventure, cruise and river tourism, MICE, weddings, cuisine, crafts and handlooms.
Highlighting the Godavari Pushkaralu 2027, Shri Durgesh said the once-in-twelve-years event offers a major opportunity to showcase Andhra Pradesh’s spiritual and cultural heritage to millions of visitors.
Mr. Ravi Gosain, President, IATO, thanked the Hon’ble Minister for personally engaging with the travel trade and said IATO was committed to working with Andhra Pradesh Tourism to take the destination to international markets.
“Andhra Pradesh has all the ingredients to become a major international tourism destination. Our objective through this convention is not only to showcase the State, but to enable our members to create new products and take Andhra Pradesh into the itineraries of overseas travellers,” Mr. Gosain said.
Mr. Sunil Mishra, Honorary Secretary, IATO, informed that the convention has already received over 350 registrations, with registrations continuing to come in. He said the strong response reflects the growing interest of the travel trade in Andhra Pradesh as an emerging tourism destination.
Mr. Sanjay Razdan, Vice President, IATO, said the convention programme has been designed around key issues shaping the future of Indian tourism, including AI and technology, sustainable tourism, high-growth tourism opportunities and partnerships for tourism growth. He also highlighted the cultural evenings featuring prominent artists showcasing the rich heritage of Andhra Pradesh.
Mr. Rajnish Kaistha, Senior Vice President, IATO, emphasised the importance of Government-industry collaboration in converting tourism potential into actual visitor growth and thanked the Government of Andhra Pradesh for its strong support to the convention and thanked the Hon’ble Minister for joining for the important interactive meet and the press conference.
The 41st IATO Annual Convention and IATO–Andhra Pradesh Travel Mart 2026, being held from 10th to 13th September 2026, will bring together leading inbound tour operators and tourism stakeholders from across India to explore new business opportunities and promote Andhra Pradesh to domestic and international markets.
IATO and Andhra Pradesh are now joining hands with one clear objective — to take Andhra Pradesh from a destination waiting to be discovered to a destination the world wants to experience.
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